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Corps Year: 2006 |
Describe where you live.
I live in a comfortable and quiet neighborhood in Opelousas, about two miles from where I teach. Opelousas is a small town in the middle of Acadiana, or the Cajun French part of Louisiana. Opelousas is about an hour away from Baton Rouge and 30 minutes from Lafayette, Louisiana but has a culture, food, and opportunities all its own. One of the things I like most about the small town feel is the great weather and the opportunity to be outdoors - I ride my bike to school on a regular basis.
What do you like most about living in South Louisiana?
I love the people in South Louisiana. Fellow corps members, the staff at my school, the people at the gym, and even the people at the bank have all made me feel very welcome and are sincerely interested in how I am doing and what they can do to help me.
What is the nightlife/weekend-life like in South Louisiana?
The nightlife is there for those who are up to it! Both Baton Rouge and Lafayette have a great nightlife with tons of downtown bars and restaurants. Lafayette offers free downtown music in the park on Friday nights and an Art Walk to display local artists up and down Jefferson Street on the first Saturday of every month. And there is most likely always a great festival right around the corner.
What does the achievement gap look like in your school, and what is Teach For America doing to change this?
The achievement gap is evident in Opelousas Junior High. OJH has a student population that is predominately African-American, and approximately 85 percent of students are on free/reduced-price lunch. I entered my seventh grade reading class this year to discover that my kids were an average of two years behind, meaning they were reading on a fifth grade level with some as low as the second or third grade level. These are all reasons why Teach For America is at my school. Corps members are working to close these gaps.
What assumptions did you have about South Louisiana before you joined Teach For America? How has your perception changed?
I knew it was going to be hot, I knew there were going to be mosquitoes, and I had heard about how fun Mardi Gras was. Luckily, I have grown to appreciate the heat, the mosquitoes actually are not that bad, and everything I heard about Mardi Gras was true! I welcome the warm, accepting nature of those living in South Louisiana, the unique culture, and the fantastic food.
Do you find you can live comfortably here on your teacher’s salary? Are you able to save money?
I live very comfortably here on a teacher’s salary. Even while paying off college loans I am still able to save a decent amount of money each month.
How have your students been affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita? What effects are there in your area?
St. Landry Parish was physically affected by Hurricane Rita more so than Hurricane Katrina. However, St. Landry Parish did welcome in a large number of evacuees from Katrina. It is two and half years after the Hurricane, and I still have children in my classes from New Orleans.
Teach For America – South Louisiana alumni have gone to work in Congress, run Teach For America regions, and win teacher of the year awards in various states. What do you think makes this experience one in which people transition into these types of leadership roles after their two years?
Fellow staff at my school realize the unique challenges we face with our children day in and day out and remind me daily that if I can make a difference here, I can do just about anything. Teaching and motivating a classroom of children gives one the skills necessary in leadership roles in any sector.
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